Helen Love
Yeah Yeah We're Helen Love
A Short Review of a Giant Record on Damaged Goods
In days like these, of course we all have lots to worry, stress and
be anxious about.
For myself, today I'm worrying about why apparently
sensible young people still buy and play Pink Floyd records, what
it will be like promoting our first gig at Sin City, if the Swans
can beat Cardiff City again next season, managing to write and edit
a coherent non cliché and alliteration ridden review after
a day in the classroom, and getting some joyous deserved diversity
on the proposed R*E*P*E*A*T Swansea compilation album.
And then more seriously, I'm anxious about having enough
time for my 86 year old mother, stopping the far right spreading their
anti-refugee bile in Llanelli, and giving the unique kids in my class
the best possible chances in an unjust world.
All this individual and collective stress means that in days like
these, a Helen Love compilation is to be especially celebrated and
valued.
So I came home from a hard day at the child-friendly chalkface, shattered
and sweaty, and there's this package waiting for me on my doorstep,
eager to burst out of its cardboard mailer to bring me salvation from
succumbing to stupid stress or yawning at gormless Glastonbury on
the TV. Unpack it and its a beauty, inside and out. Bright pink and
green grooves and a glorious gatefold sleeve give an instant smile,
but as soon as I press play... Happy hooky harmonies, cheaply glamorous
guitars, evocatively perfect pop (if sometimes cheeky) songwriting,
and metric Ramones of 'Yeahs yeahs!'.
No wonder I'm instantly better, beaming, bopping in my bedroom.
Most of these tracks were recorded DIY on an old 8 track in an overheated
Swansea attic, but every one of these hand picked gems has me singing
along, tapping me feet, lost in the joy of life and faultlessly fun
lyrics and iridescent music. And smiling.
SMILING!
Helen Love songs should be prescribed on the NHS as
anti anxiety treatment.
If they don't make your heart go boom, sadly you may
already be dead.
This collection is a perfect encapsulation of a band that has brought
nothing but joy and beauty and bounty to the world, a 'best of' that
is the best, a greatest hits that is truly great, a compilation beyond
compare. Only thing is, nearly all the other records they've ever
released could easily have been included too; I particularly notice
the lack of anything from most recent album This is My World, a record
of startling depth, sympathy and understanding.
But to be honest, it's the pure unadulterated adrenaline
joyous jump up and down punk pop disco perfection of these up tempo
tracks that will have you laughing out loud, pogoing in your pyjamas
and forgetting the evil world.
If just for a couple of minutes.
Essential self care.
In days like these.
Yeah yeah, they're Helen Love, and yeah yeah, we fuckin
love them.
Rosey R*E*P*E*A*T
Order Yeah Yeah We're Helen Love here
while stocks last
Read our
Helen Love interviews here
and here,
and a review of This is My World here
